The lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone, has urged the Nigerian Army to follow democratic principles in dealings with Okuama leaders reportedly arrested earlier this week.
He spoke while donating food items to the people of Okuama, Ughelli south local government area currently at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Ewu-Urhobo.
The lawmaker said the rights of the civilians arrested must be respected and they should not be subjected to any form of abuse, rather, they should be brought to a civil court to answer any allegations against them.
The senator called on the federal and Delta state governments to, without further delay, commence the process of rebuilding and resettling the displaced indigenes of the devastated Okuama community to their ancestral home.
He also appealed to international donor agencies to come to the aid of the troubled Okuama people, noting that the situation at Okuama is an international humanitarian crisis that needs global efforts to rebuild and resettle the people.
He promised not to rest until Okuama is rebuilt and the indigenes are returned to their homes.
“Since my last visit, my office has continued to reach out to the federal government and international agencies, to see what help can be provided.
“Aids to those at the camp and rebuilding of Okuama are the more significant matters that need to be brought to the attention not of Delta government alone, but Nigerians and the global community as a whole,” he said.
Chairman of the Ewu-Okuama IDP Camp Management Committee, Mr Abraham Ogbodo, while receiving the items, commended Dafinone “for standing with the people of Okuama in their trying time.”
Ogbodo noted with delight that Dafinone had been at the forefront in trying to resolve the Okuama crisis and also called on well-meaning individuals to support the ongoing efforts in rebuilding and resettling Okuama people to their ancestral homes.
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